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Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough to Use Data Ethically
Significant ethical scandals are thankfully rare in institutional research and effectiveness (IR/IE). Every few years brings a case of an institution that has deliberately falsified data, usually data for external survey...Read Moreabout: Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough to Use Data Ethically -
Let’s Prioritize Democratic Civility
Amid the election for our new AIR leaders, I think it is important as you contemplate who to vote for to reflect on the purpose of your vote. I fundamentally believe the leaders we choose are an image of our hope fo...Read Moreabout: Let’s Prioritize Democratic Civility -
The Importance of Class Size: An Interview with Mark Umbricht
AIR talked to Mark Umbricht, Director of Data Analysis and Research at University of North Carolina System, to chat about how his 2018 AIR Forum session was referenced in Ron Lieber’s book, The Price You ...Read Moreabout: The Importance of Class Size: An Interview with Mark Umbricht -
Calling All IR Professionals: Your Institution Has Until December 17 to Gain Access to Free Benchmarking
Institutional Research (IR) professionals intimately understand that good data can facilitate smart decisions. That truth applies to the field of IR, too. The National Survey of IR Offices is the premier source of ...Read Moreabout: Calling All IR Professionals: Your Institution Has Until December 17 to Gain Access to Free Benchmarking -
Latest Charles F. Elton Best Papers Award Recipients Announced
Congratulations to the latest recipients of the Charles F. Elton Best Paper Award: Qingmin Shi, John R. Crooker, Christina Drum, and Brent M. Drake, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Their paper, “Investigation of t...Read Moreabout: Latest Charles F. Elton Best Papers Award Recipients Announced -
Raising the Data Literate and Qualitatively Responsible
Back in fall 2006, I had barely started my career in the IR/IE field, and our oldest child was starting her first year in Governor’s School in Virginia. One of her assigned books was How to Lie with Statistics by...Read Moreabout: Raising the Data Literate and Qualitatively Responsible -
Introduction to Data Ethics
Every day, more than 2.5 exabytes (1 exabyte = 1 billion gigabytes) of data are produced. By the end of 2025, estimates suggest that number will rise to 436 exabytes. Data is truly everywhere, and its use is expanding an...Read Moreabout: Introduction to Data Ethics -
Data Ethics Haiku
As data stewards, we are responsible for ensuring the privacy and security of information we use and share. The AIR Statement of Ethical Principles outlines the integrity of our profession. An important area of our ...Read Moreabout: Data Ethics Haiku -
Ethical Use of Data: Scenarios for Discussion
The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our students, prospective students, faculty, and staff is not yet known. Institutional research professionals can help support a better understanding of this impact by first r...Read Moreabout: Ethical Use of Data: Scenarios for Discussion -
Considerations for Ethical Use of Data During a Pandemic
The collection, analysis, and reporting of data in ethical ways has always been foundational for institutional research. Ethical research requires not only a high degree of veracity and accuracy in our work, but it als...Read Moreabout: Considerations for Ethical Use of Data During a Pandemic